Geranium plant named &#39;patriot soft pink&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘Patriot Soft Pink’ is a new variety of geranium that exhibits free flowering, good outdoor performance, and bright clear pink flowers.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Pelargonium×hortorum

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

‘Patriot Soft Pink’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×hortorum known by the varietal name ‘Patriot Soft Pink’. Thenew variety was discovered in Lompoc, Calif. The new variety is a resultof cross breeding Light Pink Seedling #6729 (female parent) (unpatented)and Light Pink Seedling #6123 (male parent) (unpatented). The purpose ofthe breeding program was to introduce a geranium having good outdoorperformance. The new variety is similar in plant type to its femaleparent, but is more free flowering. The new variety is similar in flowercolor to its male parent, but is more compact. ‘Patriot Soft Pink’ isalso similar in flower color to ‘Rocky Mountain Light Pink’, but has amore compact growth habit. The good outdoor performance and freeflowering nature of ‘Patriot Soft Pink’ distinguishes the new varietyfrom other varieties known to the breeder. The new variety was firstasexually reproduced by cuttings in Connellsville, Pa. The new varietyhas been trial and field tested and has been found to retain itsdistinctive characteristics and remain true to type through successivepropagations.

The new variety was grown in a glass greenhouse in a 4″ pot inConnellsville, Pa. using full light, 16° C. night temperature, 20° C.day temperature, and grown in a soilless media with constant fertilizerat 200-250 ppm nitrogen and potassium. The new variety exhibitsdeveloped roots at 17 days at an average temperature of 23° C. and has aresponse time of seven weeks from a rooted cutting to flowering in a 10cm. container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying photographic drawing illustrates the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out in Connellsville, Pa. Thecolor readings were taken indoors under 200-220 foot candles of coolwhite fluorescent light. The new variety was eight weeks from a rootedcutting when described. Color references are primarily to the 1966R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London. PLANTMarket class: Zonal. Time to initiate roots: Approximately 5-7 days atabout 23° C. Time to develop roots: Approximately 17 days at about 23°C. Time to produce a finished About 7 weeks in a 10 cm. flowering plantfrom container. a rooted cutting: Rooting habit: Good, normal. Form:Round-mounded. Height from media surface 11.0-13.0 cm. to top offoliage: Height from media surface 25.0-27.0 cm. to top of flowers:Plant diameter: 22.0-23.0 cm. Vigor: 4 on a scale of 5. Strength: Noartificial support is needed. Branching habit: Free branching. Stem:Main stem length: 8.0-11.0 cm. Diameter: 0.7 cm. Color: Yellow-GreenGroup 144A. Texture: Leathery texture. Pubescence: Slight. Internodelength: 1.0-1.5 cm. Lateral branches: Length: Primary: 5.0-8.0 cm.Secondary: Plant is too young to measure. Diameter: Primary: 0.5-0.6 cm.Secondary: Plant is too young to measure. Internode length: 1.0-1.5 cm.Texture: Leathery. Pubescence: Slight. Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A.Foliage: Arrangement: Alternate. Stipules: Number: 2 at every node.Size: 0.5-0.9 cm wide. Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Zone: Location:From outer edge of leaf to ♯1/2♭ of the way toward the center. Color:Green Group 137A. Size of leaf: Length: 6.0-9.8 cm. Width: 7.7-12.2 cm.Shape of leaf (generally): Reniform with a stalked base. Shape of apex:Rounded in accordance with reniform leaf shape. Shape of base: Cordate.Texture: Velvety. Aspect: Leaves have a very slight slope increasingfrom point of connection toward the margin. Margin type: Crenate.Pubescence: Upper surface: Moderate. Lower surface: Moderate. Color:Young leaves: Upper surface: Green Group 137C. Lower surface: GreenGroup 138B. Mature leaves: Upper surface: Green Group 137B. Lowersurface: Green Group 137C. Petiole: Length: 5.6-10.2 cm. Diameter:0.25-0.3 cm. Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Veins: Venation type:Palmate. Color: Upper surface: Green Group 138B. Lower surface:Yellow-Green Group 145B.

INFLORESCENCE Bud: Stage of development when bud Bud shows color at sidecharacteristics determined: but sepals are not parting at the tips.Shape of cluster: Elliptical. Diameter of cluster: 2.4-2.6 cm. Number ofbuds per cluster: 16-24. Shape of individual bud: Ellipse. Length ofindividual bud: 0.9-1.0 cm. Width of individual bud: 0.6-0.7 cm. Naturalflowering season at speci- Year round horticultural greenhouse fiedlocation(s): crop. Blooming habit: Continuous and free flowering. Umbeldiameter: 9.3-3.3 cm. Umbel depth: 6.8-7.9 cm. Borne: Umbel, flowers onpedicel, pedicel on peduncle. Inflorescence position: Above foliage.Number of inflorescences per 1-2. lateral branch: Lastingness of anindividual 10-14 days. flower: Florets: Form: Flat and slightly cupped.As flowers mature, the florets gradually become more open/flat. Numberper umbel: 20-42. Diameter: 3.7-5.5 cm. Depth: 1.8-2.0 cm. Petals:Color: The top two petals of the floret have a pronounced white eye ascompared to the bottom petals. Upper surface: The top two or threepetals are Red- Purple Group 68C. The bottom one third of the petalsfades to Red- Purple Group 68D and then imm- ediately to White Group155D. The point of connection then immediately fades to White Group155D. The venation is Red-Purple Group 73B. The bottom petals are RedGroup 68C and fade to White Group 155D at the pointed base. The venationis Red-Purple Group 73B. Lower surface: The top petals have a margin ofRed-Purple Group 68D that fades to Red-Purple Group 73D as it approachesthe center of the petal. The bottom one third of the petal fades toWhite Group 155D. The venation is Red-Purple Group 65C. The bottompetals have a margin of Red-Purple Group 68D that fades to Red-PurpleGroup 73D and then to White Group 155D and remains as White Group 155Dto the point of connection. Shape: Inverted teardrop. Length: 2.5-2.8cm. Width: 2.2-2.6 cm. Apex shape: Smooth and rounded. Base shape:Tapered to a point. Margin: Entire; smooth. Number per floret: 5-8.Texture: Smooth. Tonality from a distance: Bright clear pink flowersatop of mounding medium green foliage. Petaloids: Quantity: 0-2 perfloret. Shape: Splits in a two pronged unit or are tubular. Color (Upperand lower surface): The upper surface is Red-Purple Group 73C and fadesto white at the petal base. The lower surface of the petal is Red-PurpleGroup 73D and fades to white at the petal base. Length: 0.9-1.4 cm.Width: 0.3-0.9 cm. Pedicel: Length: 2.1-2.6 cm. Diameter: 0.13-0.15 cm.Color: A highlight of Greyed-Purple Group 180A where the pedicelconnects to the floret and fades quickly to Yellow-Green Group 144A.Peduncle: Length: 16.5-23.8 cm. Diameter: 0.25-0.45 cm. Texture: Aslightly rough leather texture with a slight to moderate amount ofpubescence. Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A. Sepal: Number: 5.Pubescence: Moderate. Shape: Lanceolate. Width: 0.20-0.39 cm. Length:0.9-1.0 cm. Fragrance: No unusual fragrance. Disease resistance: Noneobserved. Temperature tolerance: None observed. Drought tolerance: Noneobserved.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS Stamens: Number (per flower): 9-11. Filament:Length: 0.7-0.9 cm. Color: White Group 155D with the tip beingRed-Purple Group 66C. Anthers: Shape: Oval-like with a slight curve.Length: 0.2-0.25 cm. Color: Greyed-Red Group 180B. Pollen: Color:Greyed-Orange Group 169B. Amount (generally): Plentiful. Pistils:Number: 1. Length: 0.9 cm. Style: Length: 0.3 cm. Color: Red-PurpleGroup 63A. Stigma: Shape: Style splits and radiates into 5 parts. Color:Red-Purple Group 63A. Size: 0.15 cm high. Ovaries: Position: Superior.Pubescence: Present. Length: 0.45 cm. Width: 0.15-0.2 cm. Color:Yellow-Green Group 144A.

1. A new and distinct variety of geranium named ‘Patriot Soft Pink’ asdescribed and illustrated.